The North Sulawesi Marine Reserve, in Indonesia, was established to preserve and protect the Coral Reef life and the indigenous flora and fauna. Millions of USAID taxpayers dollars were used in the project to establish a well managed and long-lasting sustainable marine reserve environment. New structures and business related operations were prohibited in the reserve boundaries. No fishing allowed except open water subsistence fishing tolerated by only the indigenous fisherman living within the Marine Reserve boundaries. Also the all important Mangrove habitat as well as all natural forms plant and animal species were to be off limits to humans. Strict enforcement was to be guaranteed by the Conservation Department, based in Manado with a large base on Bunaken the main Island on the Reserve, and by the Coast guard (the Conservation Office Under authority of the Forestry Department).

1997 - Daily occurrences can be witnessed routinely (videos and photos available)!

Anchoring on reef by pleasure, fishing and even dive boats!

Motoring over reef heads--a danger to snorkelers and divers, not to mention damage to reef!

Fishing in and off the coral fringe--day and night- also with large objects to overturn coral!

Trap net fishing on the reefs, ornamental fishing and for other purposes, some stationary trap nets!

Spear fishing-- Day and Night, normally at low tide when coral fish are vulnerable--also around snorkelers and divers!

Low tide pick-and-hack harvesting of clams, shells, coral, and sea life- everyday!

Selling of pillaged shells and sea life on Bunaken beach in front of the Conservation Base!

Waste and Disposal spread throughout the Reserve, especially on Bunaken, public bins non-existent!

New Constructions of all kinds on the Reserve, the pillage of the Islands natural growth & resources used to build hotels, hostels, restaurants, and dive operations, under the banner of "Eco tourism"!

Divers and snorkelers are noticing the obvious absence of large coral fish, as well as all forms of clams and shell life! Not to mention the totally damaged areas of the reefs!

Will there be any Marine life to Protect?

1998-The Establishment and Forming of the North Sulawesi Water sports Association (NSWA), formerly known as the NS Dive Association.

A major step toward protecting the North Sulawesi Marine Reserve and the surrounding areas. Formed by concerned members connected to the tourism trade, primarily the Diving Resort sector. Originally only six marine tourism operators members in mid 1998, has expanded to nearly 30 members by 2006. The Earth Advocates had pleaded for such an organization during 1997 to provide the local authorities with a leader in protecting the Marine environment.

The NSWA has proven itself as necessary and essential in protecting the area as well as establishing a strong and constant tourism base. Importantly working together with the local community leaders, the Indonesian conservation department, the coast guard (water police), and the local government. Including patrolling the North Sulawesi Waters.

Some of the notable occurrences since February 1999

Cyanide fishing had been witnessed directly off Bunaken the most popular dive and snorkeling point. The sighting was reported by member of NSWA. The most shocking revelation is that it was discovered Japanese Resort and Diving Center, 'SamdueraIndah" were allegedly involved with this action. Not a NSWA member.

Protected or Pillaged? The chaos continues!
January 2000 - And onward, will there ever be an end?

There seem to be reoccurring situations threatening the healthy existence of the North Sulawesi Reserve and the surrounding areas.

The mining problem

Since the discovery of Gold in North Sulawesi, and specifically in North Minahasa, there has been a constant threat to the waters in and around the area. When the Australian Mining company, Aurora, retreated from its plans to do mining in North Minahasa 1999, due to unfavorable conditions, environmentalists, activists,most local residents and tour operators were relieved. However illegal mining, similar to Dumoga Bone, small local mining operations have spread all over the area, to the fringe of Tangkoko National Park. They are using large amounts of mercury, not having any idea what damage it can do to people's health. Local police and local land owners seem to be heavily involved, as the streams, rivers and ground water is being contaminated. As the Illegal mines have spread and extracted gold, and become more influential over certain authorities, the language has changed from "illegal mining" to "traditional mining" and therefore making this type mining seem legal! Until August 2006, very little has been done to stop this Damaging form of Mining beside an effort to convert many of these illegal miners to using potassium Cyanide rather than Mercury.

A photo of one of the many Illegal Mining operations in the North Minahasa Regency of North Sulawesi.

The new mining problem for North Minahasa Environment- P. T. Meares Soputan Mine (MSM)!

During 2005, the mining operation, P.T. MSM, re-initiated pre- mining activities at Toko Tindung, North Minahasa, the same mine abandoned by Aurora. MSM plan to dump all their tailing just North of the world renown Dive area the Lembay Straits, East of the North Sulawesi Marine National Park, and Beside the Tangkoko National Park, and an area being proposed as a World Heritage Marine Area! A Earth Advocates representative has met with mining officials and visited the mining site, and has strongly advised the authorities to reconsider their options before all hell breaks loose.

Since the meeting, protests have occurred, paid thugs have attacked local protestors and the situation has developed into a conflict with the overwhelming consensus against the opening of a large scale Mining Operation. This proposed 10 year operation, in addition to the existing Illegal mining operations, adds to a situation getting worse for the North Minahasa environment. Actually, this operation has not got the green light to operate as of August 2006 , and there are legal disputes to be cleared up first. This can delay the operation until a legal decision can be made as to whether mining is feasible, can be safely preformed here without effecting the surrounding areas, which depend economically and generally on a sustainable healthy environment, which the mine can not guarantee. Earth Advocates are convinced that this is the case, knowing the North Minahasa area, to allow large scale Mining here would have far reaching destructive short and long term affects to the area. We therefore support the Banning of Mining, including the so called traditional mining in this area!

For more information on this subject see the report on North Sulawesi Water sports Association web site at: www.divenorthsulawesi.com

Periodic Attempts to Build oversized Resorts within the Reserve, Eradunia project stopped!

Eradunia, a company based in Jakarta was planning to build a luxury resort with 54 cottages on the island of Bunaken, a further 54 will be added in a second stage. They had bought a large piece of land on the island. After a preliminary investigation by Earth advocates, it had been discovered that the Eradunia project did not have the correct licenses, nor go through the correct legal channels.The National Park Officials were by passed, an attempt to ignore National Park Laws and regulations which would never permitted such a resort to be built there. Eradunia typically misusing the term Eco tourism to sell their idea of exploiting and further destroying the Island sanctuary. Earth Advocates made an official Protest and asked for an investigation of the company and their deeds, as did others. Subsequently, the company seemed to disappear as they appeared, quickly. Periodically such attempts are made by ignorant and careless entrepreneurs disregarding the possible consequences of their actions.

There still exists illegal fishing operations within and around the park.

Since January 2000 there have been numerous sightings of Illegal fishing boats operating within the boundaries of the Marine Protected area, and the discovery of the destruction created of such operations. Most of the dive spots around Mantehage have been destroyed by dynamite and cyanide fishing. Damage has also been done around Bunaken.

The increased efforts by the NSWA and other concerned parties have been doing their part in creating awareness, involving local villages, and increasing patrolling to stop the illegal pillage. And it has shown some good results if one could imagine what it would be like if left solely to the Conservation Department and the Water Police!

An exert by a foreign observer living in Manado quoted the following to demonstrate how bad the situation was before the NSWA involvement!

" A couple of weeks ago there was a ship, owned by a company in Luwuk, in the the National Park. They said they wanted to start catching groupers and napoleons within the park, for "scientific purposes". Well, Luwuk is not exactly a place known for research in Indonesia. In fact the reefs around Luwuk are already totally destroyed by local fishing companies. This is not the end of the madness: these guys had a license, allowing them to operate in North Sulawesi, which was issued by the police (Polda) in Manado!!! Can you tell me what the police has to do with fishing operations? Anyway, as far as we know these guys are not yet operating. Our diving association is carefully watching this. Since about a month we are using our own boats, staff and money for night patrols within the park. The police and National Park Office don't have any money for it, not even for gasoline, but they are supporting it. Usually one or two rangers are on board of the boats. It is planned to found a private organization, again funded by the dive association, which takes over the patrolling in the park. So far the offices are supporting this idea and we are moving forward."

And, here another Trap Net Fishing story from 2000!

"A few months ago a special kind of net was discovered at Fukui, fixed with holes which were grounded right in the corals. Pretty illegal thin g... Some of the dive companies and their guests did their best to destroy this thing, and succeeded. What happened then? It was reported to the police, several times, and when reported the police asked for compensation for destroying it. The police never did a thing against the illegal net but is now trying to get some money out of it.. Greed, greed, greed,

I now understand why some people refer to North Sulawesi as the "center of corruption in Indonesia". Somehow I fear that things might even get worse with the increased independence from Jakarta."

Here a Police Patrolman taking tourists on a 3 hour snorkeling tour to supplement his pay and pay for petrol.

Police and Customs Actions increase during 2006

For the first time recorded, both police and customs authorities have taken action against the Illegal live fish Trade in North Sulawesi. In 2006, three notable busts occurred that involve Hundreds of fish listed by CITES as protected Species, primarily the Napoleon Wrasse were rescued and later released back into the Marine reserve waters. Legal action is pending on an International level to finally stop this pillage from continuing. These are very welcoming and positive signs toward the future trend!

For more information concerning these busts read the Report in the Indonesian Conservation Newsletter from July 11, 2006, Issue 9-27a; To subscribe send an email to editors at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Leadership changes may lead to increased awareness and environmental protection!

Earth Advocates believe local authorities and police were part of the problem here because they have been poorly led, trained, and paid. Major changes are needed to rectify many of these problems and to create a strong sustaining awareness base at all levels of society. With the change of the Leadership, the governor of North Sulawesi and the Bupati (Leader) of North Minahasa, there is a strong chance this may happen. Declaring himself publicly as a "GREEN Governor", Governor Sarundajang has increased the hope of a permanent change toward increased awareness, protection and conservation of the environment.

CONGRADULATIONS New GOVERNOR SARUNDAJANG, wants be known as 'PRO ENVIRONMENTAL' Quality leaders are needed especially here where sustaining the Natural habitat and ecosystem thus establishing a healthy environmental balance is paramount to the future survival of all in this area! See current projects.

North Sulawesi Marine Park Needs Your Support!

Despite all the chaos occurring in this area mentioned above, we truly believe that the tide is turning toward pro environment stance due to some vital changes and the efforts of many, as NSWA! We encourage tourists to go, enjoy, support, join and help us in our efforts. Let your ideals, observations and protests be known to us and the Indonesian authorities, at local and national levels. This would be the better way to seek positive changes and reverse the destructive trends. We and those who are struggling to protect these areas need all the support we can get! We thank you in advance, Earth Advocates